Have you gotten off meds successfully? Please help!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:06 pm

Lenore - if you read this, I would be curious if you could share any of the books/resources that you read that did help you. Most things that I read are all similar and basically say the same thing as this program. I live in a very remote area that doesn't offer much in the way of psychologists. I did see one for about 18 months but had to drive an hour to get there. I would also like to be able to be med-free at some point. I have taken an anti-depressant for 10 years and am just beginning to wean.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:34 pm

Hey Jules, I have just recently gotten off Prozac. I had taken Prozac about 3 times in the past, off and on but this time it really messed w/me. I had started out last summer on Lexapro and while that stopped the attacks, it didn't stop my obsessive thinking. It was so weird to be having the thoughts that created a panic attack w/out actually having one. I stopped that and went on Prozac. I was still having anxiety although to a lesser degree. My dr. upped the dosage but that only made me worse. Anyway, I decided I had had enough and was done w/medication the night the voice inside my head was telling me to hurt my kids. I called my doc the next morning and he helped me wean off. I do have Xanax to take if I really need to calm down due to an attack but haven't had to use it. So, what I did was, looked for sources of inspiration and really changed my thinking, seriously. I go to a website called intenders.com, it is very helpful in thinking positive. I read books pertaining to positive thinking and just really worked on my attitude everyday. Dont' get me wrong, I still have bad days, today being one of them, I don't want to htink positive to save my life but I will get through it. Bottom line, you can survive w/out meds, unless you are bipolar or have some other mental "illness". Talk to your Dr, tell him your concerns, there are always alternatives. If he laughs at you, as mine did in a nonchalant way, keep persisting, only you know what is best for you. Meds only hide the symptoms anyway. BTW, how much anxiety did reading that book give you? Good luck to you, follow your instincts.

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:54 am

The key to going off antidepressants is to work with your doctor and "wean" off of them gradually. I just recently went off of Cymbalta after about 5 years on it. Wow, what a trip going off that stuff was! Constantly feeling like there's water in your head, blurred vision, headaches, and extreme depression! Don't do anything cold turkey.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:34 pm

I've been on antidepressants for longer than I care to admit! And I've been on different ones over the years. One thing I know is that every time I have thought, "wow, I don't need these any more" and gone off them, within a fairly short space of time I realize I do need them. Fortunately, I've never experienced "withdrawal" symptoms...just slipped back into depression.

I am just starting this program so am hoping that I may be able to get off the meds at some point, or at least taper them off to a lower dose.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:10 am

I've been on xanex & lexapro for a lot of yrs. I ran out of xanex,2 days ago, and have not slept since. I want to think I can manage my life w/o drugs. I have an appt w/ my dr. today, and I know my meds can be picked up again. I need some sleep! Should I make the appt?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:17 am

I thought today was Monday. I really need sleep!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:32 am

since 16 i have been on paxil, lexapro, zoloft, celexa, lorazapam, adivan. .. i am now 23 and lst year i quit for good. realized it did more bad than good. with lexapro i just quit cold turkey.. but with celexa (worst drug of my life) i slowly got off...but not that slow cause i wanted to be off it fast. i got more side effects from it and new effects that i never had from it that lasted a while. basically the 3 months on it i was in hell. i took a lorazapam while on it like twice a day..just no good. now i still get depression and anxiety BUT i can control it ten times more now than i ever did on meds. good luck!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:15 pm

Hi..I was only on Ativan 2 months and when I started needing more and not succumbing to that and having side effects another doctor added Celexa, while decreasing the Ativan... and I got worse side effects...I got extremely sick and had horrible headache, stomach upset, visual blurring, etc. etc. etc. and found a website to help you get off them safely...go to <A HREF="http://www.pointofreturn.com" TARGET=_blank>www.pointofreturn.com</A>
I'm getting the supplements tomorrow and I am sure they are going to do the job. After I wrote a desperate email to the co-founder, Alesandra Rain, she called me on the weekend! (last night, Sat.)personally...she is wonderful and was on meds 10 years and nearly died but got through it and now she has helped so many...
If you want to write me directly my email is katinkamoberg@yahoo.com
Hope this is your answer...I think it is..
Karin

Originally posted by jules722:
I have been on meds for almost 4 years and know that they are contributing to my anxiety in a negative way. I want to get off them so I can feel better. Is it wise for me to get off them while Im doing the program, or should I wait until I finish? I just read a book called, "your drug may be your problem" by Peter Breggin and want to get off the drugs asap! Anyone gotten off of them successfully??

TRUE · Post by **TRUE** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:23 pm

Thanks for your story...having a horrible time getting off Ativan after 2 months after it was not working and I didn't want to increase...so the doctor added Celexa..ugh...yes, bad news...I got off the Celexa after 4 days 10m only before the higher dose recommended but the horrible side effects from the Ativan and then the added Celexa were unbelievably horrible...the anxiety would be better!!!...In desperation I finally found a great site and I am getting the supplements to help ...www.pointofreturn.com if others may need this..
So happy to know you can control things with this program...I am just starting and still have anxiety and depression, mostly anxiety I believe but at least the meds will be gone soon...evil stuff..
Thanks again,
Karin

Originally posted by Holly J:
since 16 i have been on paxil, lexapro, zoloft, celexa, lorazapam, adivan. .. i am now 23 and lst year i quit for good. realized it did more bad than good. with lexapro i just quit cold turkey.. but with celexa (worst drug of my life) i slowly got off...but not that slow cause i wanted to be off it fast. i got more side effects from it and new effects that i never had from it that lasted a while. basically the 3 months on it i was in hell. i took a lorazapam while on it like twice a day..just no good. now i still get depression and anxiety BUT i can control it ten times more now than i ever did on meds. good luck!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:12 pm

I have been taking Xanax as needed only since July/August '07.

My first experience with the pill was like - OMG - I feel normal again.

For the most part I still tend to get that feeling, but, I now find that in the back of my mind when I am trying to beat the feelings I can turn to the Xanax for that quick fix. I'd rather beat it, but sometimes find myself taking it so I can feel normal for awhile.

I want to be independent of any pill. My doctor recently prescribed me Lexapro, but after reading up on it, decided I had to beat this thing on my own or with a support system and here I am!